The number one fear of every factory owner was unionization of their workers. That meant a contractual agreement between the boss and the workers that would diminish the complete authority they exerted, and they could no longer get away with mistreatment. Many wealthy bosses were offended by any talks of unions on a personal level, comparing it to “biting the hand that feeds”.

There was no sanitation legislation, no maximum hour laws, and no minimum wage laws, “no one was watching” and the bosses looked to keep it that way. In the months leading up to the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, many young girls at the sweatshops decided to take a stand and go on strike. They would stand outside and line up in defiance of their cruel workplace conditions, and other girls from similar shops would take notice and join them, until even the Triangle workers were among their ranks.

Owners of the Triangle, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, hired prostitutes and local thugs to harass and beat the girls in the picket line. Clara Lemlich, a young worker who became an activist in the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, had six of her ribs broken. The police precincts were bought off, and would throw the girls into jail when they fought back. None of the cities’ elected officials wanted to stop the income of the economic powerhouses, and so paid little mind to the workers plight. A march on city hall with thousands of textile workers ended with the mayor telling them to leave.

Ladies Garment Strikers, Bain Collection

In November of 1909, after six weeks of picketing, organizers called for a meeting at Cooper Union in Astor Place, Manhattan. Garment workers filled it to capacity, and the line spilled out into the street.

Talk of an industry wide strike against all 500 of Manhattan’s garment factories was circulating, while the Women’s Trade Union League and the creator of the American Federation of Labor, Samuel Gompers, begged them not to do it. Clara Lemlich made a suprise entrance onto the stage and stepped to the podium, her words echoed through the hall, :

I have listened to all the speakers, and I have no further patience for talk. I am a working girl, one of those striking against intolerable conditions. I am tired of listening to speakers who talk in generalities. What we are here for is to decide whether or not to strike. I make a motion that we go out in a general strike.

A deafening round of applause followed, and the next day, workers stood up, and walked away from the only thing that could keep them and their families from starving. This was known as “The Uprising of 20,000.”  The Manufacturers Association was formed by Harris and Blanck to try and prevent any concessions made to the workers.

After a month the workers found themselves at the forefront of national attention after the daughter of the wealthiest banker in the business, Anne Morgan, decided to champion their cause, forming the so called “mink brigade.”

Anne Morgan, Underwood & Underwood Studios

The movement began picking up momentum, a product of capitalism was fighting alongside some who professed very socialistic views, and the media began painting the girls as brave and courageous. With no other choice, the Manufacturers Organization offered the choice of higher pay and shorter hours, but absolutely no union, and the girls refused. Anne Morgan removed herself from the garment workers, stating that she did not want any “social upheaval.” By the middle of February however, most shops decided to become union only to finally bring an end to the largest work stoppage in the city’s history.

Except for the Triangle Factory.